(From Canon literature) Following months of intense anticipation by Digital SLR enthusiasts worldwide, the EOS 40D DIGITAL SLR Camera from Canon U.S.A., Inc. is scheduled to begin sailing into stores in early September. Building on the success of Canon's perennially popular "prosumer" EOS 20D and 30D models, the EOS 40D advances the state-of-the-art for mid-range Digital SLR cameras, making it a natural first choice for advanced amateur photographers and entry-level professionals, and an ideal second body for more established photo pros. Indeed, given the level of feature upgrades and improvements, technological wizardry and user-requested creative controls, the Canon EOS 40D SLR's "prosumer" appellation may refer more to its accessible price point than to the exceptional quality, clarity and resolution of the images it creates.

From the camera's newly enhanced, 10.1-megapixel CMOS imaging sensor (designed and manufactured by Canon) and its proprietary and super-efficient DIGIC III image processor, to its completely redesigned autofocus sensor and fast, 6.5 frame-per-second (fps) continuous shooting capability (for bursts of up to 75 Large/Fine JPEGs or 17 RAW images), the EOS 40D SLR puts the fun in functionality and makes serious photo business a positive pleasure.

Indeed, at 6.5 fps, no Digital SLR in the EOS 40D mid-range class and price category has so high a continuous shooting capability , making it ideal for shooting - and actually capturing - speed-sensitive outdoor and wild-nature shots as well as a wide variety of action and sports scenes. The speed of the EOS 40D SLR comes from Canon's balanced combination of its latest processor, DIGIC IIII, DDR SDRAM high-speed memory, four-channel-per-line sensor readout, and two separate motors for shutter and mirror operation.

Display's the Thing
The most easily visible upgrade on the EOS 40D Digital SLR is the camera's larger three-inch LCD screen (compared with the EOS 30D's 2.5-inch monitor). Still, size is only the beginning of the difference between these two cameras' displays. In order to increase viewing ease in outdoor conditions such as bright sunlight, Canon raised the brightness level of the EOS 40D camera's 230,000-pixel LCD screen, broadened the color gamut and narrowed the viewing angle from 170 degrees to a still wide 140-degree perspective in all directions. An added advantage of the larger-sized display is the ability to use a larger font size for text, making it easier to read setting and menu options on the screen. The camera's menu is organized in the same tabbed format as the EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR.

Canon extends its "ease-of-reading" policy to the EOS 40D SLR's viewfinder as well. The upgraded viewfinder increases optical magnification from 0.90x to 0.95x, expands the viewing angle from 251 degrees to 264 degrees and raises the eye point from 20mm to 22mm.

Enhanced Durability
Recognizing the often rigorous shooting conditions encountered by professional and advanced amateur photographers, Canon design engineers made the EOS 40D SLR's magnesium alloy exterior even more ruggedly dependable than its predecessors with upgraded dust and weather resistant construction, particularly around the camera's connection ports, battery compartment and single-slot compact flash memory card door. Should the user inadvertently open the compact flash card door while the camera is writing to the card, a warning will pop up on the LCD screen and an open door "alarm" will sound, but the image(s) will continue writing to the memory card without interruption. The EOS 40D SLR also retains many of the outstanding features of the EOS 30D model, such as its fast 0.15-second initial start-up, its extremely durable shutter (rated up to 100,000 cycles), its top shutter speed of 1/8000 sec and 1/250 maximum X-sync flash shutter speed setting.

Improved Image Quality
Although it is based on the image sensor used in the EOS Digital Rebel XTi, the EOS 40D Digital SLR's 10.1-megapixel CMOS APS-C size image sensor has been significantly improved thanks to the use of larger microlenses over each pixel to reduce noise and expand sensitivity up to ISO 3200. The EOS 40D retains the model 30D camera's 1.6x focal length conversion factor (compared to full-frame digital image sensors or 35mm film) and is compatible with the full line-up of Canon EF lenses as well as the Company's expanding selection of high-quality, affordable EF-S lenses created specifically for Canon Digital SLRs with APS-C size image sensors.

Adding to the improved virtuosity of the images captured by the EOS 40D SLR is the camera's 14-bit Analog-to-Digital (A/D) conversion process. Able to recognize 16,384 colors per channel (four times the number of colors recognized by the EOS 30D SLR's 12-bit conversion capability), the EOS 40D camera is able to produce images with finer and more accurate gradations of tones and colors. The EOS 40D also incorporates the optional Highlight Tone Priority and High-ISO Noise Reduction functions first introduced earlier this year with the EOS-1D Mark III Professional Digital SLR.

DIGIC III
DIGIC III is the latest generation of Canon's proprietary image processing engine. DIGIC III technology ensures that the fine details and natural colors of the images are optimally recorded and, as an added bonus, is also responsible for the EOS 40D SLR's high-speed performance, faster signal processing and even its efficient energy consumption.

sRAW
In addition to retaining the RAW image capture capabilities of its predecessors, the EOS 40D SLR now offers a more manageable "sRAW" recording format. In sRAW mode, the number of pixels is reduced to one-fourth that of a standard RAW image and the file size is cut in half, while retaining all of the flexibility and creative possibilities associated with full-size, conventional RAW images.

Improved Autofocus and Exposure Control
While the EOS 40D SLR maintains the nine-point wide area AF coverage first introduced on the EOS 20D camera, Canon has made significant improvements to its speed, precision and functionality, minimizing subject recognition problems in the process. The EOS 40D camera's completely redesigned nine-point AF sensor provides cross-type AF measurement at all nine focusing points for maximum apertures up to f/5.6, and for the first time in any EOS camera, the central AF point offers enhanced precision for both vertical and horizontal subject contrast when using EF or EF-S lenses featuring maximum apertures of f/2.8 or faster. AF calculation speed with the EOS 40D camera is 30 percent faster than the EOS 30D model.

The Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR retains the same 35-zone metering sensor as its predecessor. Available patterns include Evaluative metering, which is linked to all AF points and is set automatically in the Basic Zone modes, Centerweighted average metering, Partial metering and Spot metering, covering approximately 9 percent or 3.8 percent of the viewfinder at center, respectively. The camera's E-TTL II autoflash and 12 exposure control modes (11 AE modes plus manual) are also unchanged from the EOS 30D SLR model. However, as a result of consumer input, Canon has added three Custom exposure modes. As an added convenience, particularly for wireless flash operations, users can adjust the flash settings of the Canon Speedlite 580EX II directly from the camera.

The Canon EOS 40D camera offers ISO speeds from ISO 100 to ISO 1600 in 1/3-stop increments. Users can also opt for a high-speed setting of ISO 3200. For the first time in any EOS camera, the 40D model offers Auto ISO capability in Creative Zone exposure modes. This valuable new feature adjusts the ISO speed to the optimal setting based on low light or shaky shooting conditions. Additionally, the EOS 40D provides full-time display of the active ISO speed setting, both in the viewfinder as well as on the top LCD data panel.

The Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR is also the first camera in its class to offer two interchangeable focusing screens in addition to the standard precision matte screen. Users can opt for a grid-type focus screen that makes it easier to verify horizontal or vertical alignment while determining image composition, as well as the Super-Precision Matte focusing screen that makes it easier to grasp the "sweet spot" of manual focusing when using a lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 or faster.

Enhanced Live View
Previously the province of the EOS-1D Mark III DSLR (one of Canon's top-tier professional cameras), the Live View function now gives EOS 40D camera users an expanded and exceedingly convenient and comfortable set of shooting options. By permitting the framing and capturing of subjects using the camera's LCD screen instead of the viewfinder, the shooter gains a 100 percent field view to more easily achieve the desired composition. A new Custom Function on the EOS 40D allows autofocus during Live View by pressing the camera's AF-ON button. At that point, the reflex mirror goes down and AF is carried out in the normal way. Letting go of the AF-ON button resumes Live View functions. Also, in the Live View shooting mode the user can magnify the image by five or ten times in order to ensure that the shot is optimally focused. Live View is at its best during tripod shooting - particularly for close-up photography where precise focusing is imperative. As a side benefit, the Live View shooting mode helps to reduce vibration by lifting the reflex mirror out of the optical path well in advance of the exposure, improving image quality at slow shutter speeds. A new electronic 1st-curtain shutter function in Live View mode reduces release time lag and operational noise even further to avoid spooking wildlife or disturbing people nearby with unwanted camera sounds. Additionally, as the release time lag is miniscule, even instantaneous movements like a bird taking flight can be readily captured.

EOS Integrated Cleaning System
First introduced on the EOS Digital Rebel XTi camera, the EOS Integrated Cleaning System is a prime example of trickle-up technology and is now becoming a standard feature on all new EOS Digital SLRs. The camera's Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit uses ultrasonic vibrations to literally shake dust particles off of the low-pass filter in front of the sensor each time the camera is powered up or shut down. Users also have the option of engaging the "clean now" function at will or bypassing it altogether. Additionally, the EOS 40D SLR's manual sensor cleaning function raises the mirror and allows users to clean dust that has stuck to the low-pass filter. Dust that has been shaken or blown loose is then trapped by adhesive at the base of the sensor unit housing, preventing the problematic particles from reattaching themselves to the filter when the camera moves. The second part of the cleaning system is a software solution that maps the location of any spots that may remain on the sensor. The mapped information is saved as Dust Delete Data and attached to the image file. Subsequently, the offending dust information is subtracted from the final image during post processing with a compatible personal computer, using the supplied Digital Photo Professional software.

Improved Software
Among the most valuable features of the Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR is its compatibility with Canon's Picture Style Editor (PSE) 1.0 software. With PSE, shooters can actually design the look of their photographs by inputting their own preferred style, color and tone curves. The EOS 40D Digital SLR also ships with the latest versions of Canon's powerful software applications, including Digital Photo Professional 3.1 and EOS Utility 2.1, which now support the camera's Remote Live View and Dust Delete Data functions, as well as incorporating a broad range of additional improvements designed to improve image quality and speed up workflow. Also included are ZoomBrowser EX 5.8 and ImageBrowser 5.8 for easy browsing, viewing, printing and archiving with compatible computer operating systems, including Microsoft Windows Vista and Windows XP, as well as Mac OS X.

Accessories
New system accessories for the EOS 40D SLR include the redesigned high-capacity Battery Grip BG-E2N, which facilitates high-volume shooting and easier vertical shooting. Compatible with up to two BP-511A battery packs or a set of six AA-size batteries, the battery grip approximately doubles the number of shots that can be taken, compared with the battery power of the EOS 40D SLR alone. The BG-E2N grip features new sealing material around the battery compartment to better resist water and dust. The new model replaces the original BG-E2 grip and is compatible with the EOS 20D, 30D and 40D models.

Designed exclusively for the EOS 40D SLR, the new Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E3A*/** permits wireless transfer and back-up, as well as remote control of the camera in Live View mode. It can also be connected to various GPS receivers or Hi-Speed USB 2.0 external storage devices such as convenient flash drives or high-capacity hard drives with much larger storage capacity than the memory cards in the camera for instant back-up as images are captured. Compact and affordable, the WFT-E3A wireless transmitter also doubles as a vertical grip and requires its own BP-511A battery pack in addition to the battery installed in the camera body.

The Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR is scheduled for early September delivery and will be sold in a body-only configuration at an estimated selling price of $1,299.00. It will additionally be offered in a kit version with Canon's EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens at an estimated selling price of $1,499.00.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America and is on the BusinessWeek list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent holder of technology, ranking third overall in the U.S. in 2006†, with global revenues of $34.9 billion. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.

FCC Disclaimer
*This device has not been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This device is not, and may not be offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained.

FDA Disclaimer
**A Product Report required by 21 C.F.R. §1002.10 has not been submitted to the United States Food and Drug Administration for this product. This product is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until the required report has been submitted.

I bought this camera in 2007 and have used it for work and for fun almost every day. It has become a reliable companion.
I have been using this camera mainly with the Tamron 17-50/2,8 non VC, and have got very sharp and satisfying images. Lately I have used it with the Canon 15-85 IS USM, and yes, very sharp and nice images.
What is there not to like about it? Not much really. You don't have to be troubled with the blueish colorcast on the rear lcd, nor with the strange auto iso. Just dial in your own preferred iso, and there you go!
However, if Canon provides us with a significantly upgraded camera this summer, maybe a 70D, then I will feel tempted to make the jump. Otherwise I will be just happy with my 40D for another year!

RadiantLite

Registered: June 2009Posts: 16

Canon EOS 40D review by RadiantLite

Review Date: 9/8/2009

Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $1,100.00| Rating: 9

This is a very good camera suitable for either professional or amateur photographer. The size might be a bit too big for casual shooters, but after a while you might use to it. The image quality with the kit lens is good, but I recommend to get a higher quality lens to get maximum quality. Even it is more than two years old now, this camera is still capable and robust for you if you can live with its limitation (hint: Auto ISO and LCD screen)

bad with underexposed pictures, low sensitivity and so tricky to use sometimes

I own and use the 40D now for a year. I bought it to have something better than my 350D.

At first I was somehow disappointed, but mainly because I made errors while taking pictures.

The good point of the camera : the image quality is overall very good. Noise, for me, isn't an issue because even with the free Canon Converter Digital Photo Professional, you can work with even ISO 3200 files and still manage a good print.

Then there is the dynamic range, which is much greater than on my 350D, especially in highlights.

There are two image quality issues : the 40D doesn't like underexposures. If you try to recover them, and you already had ISO 400 or greater, than you have banding an a great amount of noise.. The 350D handled it much better. If you expose correctly you won't have any problem.
The second one : the strong AA filter on the sensor.. you won't get the per pixel sharpness as a 350D. You have more resolution but not the sharpness. But if you can live with that, the camera then will produce very clean pictures.

The 40D is not easy to use, but the handling is almost perfect. With a batterygrip, you will have battery life for the next hundreds or even thousands of pictures. The built quality is very good, although there is no weather sealing.

The 40D, tricky but a very good camera.

hschulze

Registered: August 2008Posts: 2

Canon EOS 40D review by hschulze

Review Date: 8/29/2008

Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $1,495.00| Rating: 8

Pros:

Excellent optics, speed

Cons:

Clumsy software limitations, poor autofocus and IS accuracy

I bought this camera late in 2007 when it first came out. I was the first in my club to use this camera for astrophotography, where others were using 2MPixel refrigerated cameras costing as much as this one, and getting similar images with a lot more post-processing. What I can get with 30-300 seconds exposure is simply amazing. Just google 40d and nebula.

I also own the begrudged G7, yet find this consumer DIGIC3 predecessor's 50mm zoom/IS accuracy better than the 40D. I sometimes use these cameras to take pictures of circuit board defects, and the G7 does a much better job in IS/AF with the software-based analysis.

Also, compared to G7, the 40D takes a lot more work to change a few settings. There has to be a less masochistic way to make quick adjustments. If I know I have to make a settings adjustment on the 40D, I am almost better off to grab the G7 despite the slower startup time.

The other side of the G7/40D coin - the G7 has noticibly worse chromatic behavior, leaving moon shots with yellow/blue tinges on opposite sides, whereas the 40D and it's included lens has almost none.

Without the 40D's preview capability, I wouldn't have considered it. The automatic exposure imitation mode is good, but not enough gain. I can't see a thing when taking low-light (astro) pictures, and the tiny viewfinder is barely enough. I usually end up pushing the ISO to 3200 so I can see something, and putting the digital preview to 5x, to make sure I am in the right area, before I can think of starting the second stage of focus adjustments. Maybe I am missing turning down a background noise-reduction setting, I haven't found it. Also, the preview doesn't extend the exposure time, no way to extend it that I know of.

Using the Auto mode in low light forces you to accept flash, with no way to turn it off like consumer cameras can.

The much-ballyhood RAW capability missing from the G7 hasn't helped that much in image quality over the highest quality JPG on the 40D, for the inconvenience of space and speed. Upgrading to 4GB CF to avoid running out of room for an evenings shooting solved that, although the subsequent download speed isn't anywhere near USB2.0 speeds, chewing up precious time to start postprocessing to know if the pictures turned out.

Having to use Canon software to download the images through the USB link is not an advantage. It would be nice to see the camera's space as a drive by any software.

A really cool add-on I found was a light pollution filter by Hutech which slips into the CCD / mirror bay.

The camera is absolutely solid. This being my fourth or fifth Canon, I adhere to the higher-end metal cased models after plastic battery bay doors fell off the older models. 40D and G7 battery / memory door latches are much improved. The disadvantage is the increased weight which makes it difficult to mount on a smaller telescope's prime focus.

Battery life is excellent compared to anything else I have ever used. I hardly have to change the battery unless I am doing 2-3 hours of open-shutter or more.

I would have liked some non-visual indicator of the shooting mode control, so I can tell which one I am using, in the dark. Maybe a small dimple or bump would have been enough.

Despite putting the 40D in a honeycomb-structured camera bag with no other large or heavy objects in it, I find that the inner part of the lens is wobbing about a half mm, which means that the weight of the camera is still causing too much stress on that part of the lens while stored. I will try to find a firmer bag.

The software SDK is not top-notch in terms of documentation and consistancy. Specifically, the undocumented tendency of disallowing mirror lockup (save power?) makes setting up critically accurate shots difficult. On the other hand, at least the SDK exists, and we can integrate the camera's intelligence into sophisticated setups.

Somehow the viewfinder makes the pictures look better than the originals; need to review the original resolutions to make sure the focus and is as sharp as you think it really is.

Other accessories worth mentioning is the Canon right-angle viewfinder extension, and the digital self timer, make this a complete package for me.

Ok, it's my first DSLR, and I like it. Happy to not have to compromise image quality any more with the consumer-grade models.

Can I whine about the lack of video modes that the G7 has with the same DIGIC3? (My G7 needed to be sent in for a main circuit board exchange because it fell on the side of the USB cable and cracked the PCB. It's been gone for almost 2 months). Why buy a $2000 video camera AND a DSLR when one could do both? Ok, you have to add a real mic. Canon won't make as much money. Or would they?

touristguy87

Registered: July 2007Posts: 36

Canon EOS 40D review by touristguy87

Review Date: 8/5/2008

Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8

Pros:

decent feature-set for a Canon

Cons:

not really outstanding in any way, same old canon cmos-sensor problems

I tried this for a couple of weeks, not really impressed. LV does nothing for me, I don't need an anti-dust sensor, I much prefer the buttons to the left, the LCD is too big for what it gives you, and takes up too much space on the back.

It's nice that it finally has auto-ISO but the camera has the same old Canon cmos streak-noise problem at high ISOs in continuous drive at low eVs. Basically a "pimped-up" 30D with the same flaws. And I understand the focus is once again unreliable.

Frankly i couldn't see any difference between the supposedly 14-bit raw images in terms of color resolution and the 12-bit raw coming off a 5d. There was *slightly* better shadow resolution but really nothing to write about. It still tended to crash at dark brown at the low end, there certainly was nothing like the rich, deep broad range of blacks and near-blacks, dark purples and reds, that you'd see with a d300. As that was the main reason that I tried the camera, that and to see if they'd fixed the streak-noise problem with the new 14-bit image-processor (er, "no"), it went back quickly. It wsn't even that clean, to be honest, though I guess the camera jpegs might have stronger NR than with the 30d. As I don't shoot jpeg this has no influence with me. The 5D still stands above it, in many ways, and I would clearly say that if you're going to shoot a Canon DSLR you're much better-off shooting the 5D over any of the subframes.

jajambo

Registered: July 2008Posts: 4

Canon EOS 40D review by jajambo

Review Date: 7/18/2008

Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $1,000.00| Rating: 9

Pros:

6fps, low noise at ISO1600, 3"LCD, DIGIC III, LiveView, solid build

Cons:

flash (completely superfluous), not FF, AF can be a gamble

I have used this camera with the 24-70mm lens for the past 9 months, and have been generally satisfied. I have put it through some abuses (eg. into the desert) and it stood up to the task. The weather seal is good but not 100% (I had some sand on my mirror).

Image quality is generally excellent; WB can be smarter, but I shoot in RAW, so not a big deal. The preview can be improved, because it only shows a jpg of lower quality, no matter in which format you shoot.

LiveView does not have 1:1 (actual pixels), only 5x, 10x zoom. Having said that LiveView is really a joy when it comes to night shots and still life shooting.

The way the camera feels on my hand is good, solid and hefty. Navigation and buttons are nicely designed. The menus are comprehensive and intuitive. However, some options are well hidden... but once I found them, I put them in "my menu" for easy access.

Bracketing is limited to +/-2 eV, which I think is too narrow. There is no multiple exposure option. The 6fps is great for action shots, never misses a beat.

Anyway, a picture beats a thousand words, you can see some pictures from this camera here:http://hellabella.de

I would recommend this camera for serious armatures, but probably not pros.

Focus

Registered: May 2008Posts: 11

Canon EOS 40D review by Focus

Review Date: 5/11/2008

Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: $1,500.00| Rating: 7

Pros:

Good ergonomics, sharp pictures, soft shutter sound

Cons:

Bad light measuring, inconsistent colors, flash

At first I thought it was great, but after I shot some wildlife and pictures with sunshine, I saw very different colors and the light of two pictures of the same object came out very different. No comparison to either Nikon or Sony. The flash is clumsy and has no wireless support. I returned it, disillusioned, after 2 weeks and exchanged it for a Sony A350.

starlancer99

Registered: November 2006Posts: 2

Canon EOS 40D review by starlancer99

Review Date: 11/17/2007

Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $1,048.00| Rating: 10

It is really hard to complain about the 40D. It just feels good in your hands. I hope that remark doesn't sound to emotional. I have upgraded from a 30D and the difference is BIG.

The first thing people coming from the 20d or 30d will notice is the shutter sound. The bigger LCD while very large, is not the first thing that hit me. But the softer and more professional sounding shutter is a welcome change. Another excellent upgrade is the finger groove in the top of the grip.

One thing that was worth the whole purchase for me was the improved AF and menu system. 9 cross type AF sensors do more than you might think. The "my menu" option is Excellent!

The only thing I need to make this camera perfect for me is a metal battery and memory card door. But I'll admit those thing are relatively small.